WORLD SERIES BY RENAULT – MOTORLAND ARAGON

Tuesday, May 8, 2012 - 15:15

The World Series by Renault opening round at the Motorland circuit, in Aragon Spain, earned Lotus a handful of points

The World Series by Renault opening round at the Motorland circuit, in Aragon Spain, earned Lotus a handful of points thanks to Richie Stanaway’s sixth-place finish and Marco Sorensen eighth, but the Czech team had been on course for more.

Saturday’s race was frustratingly short for Stanaway, who qualified fourth. The Kiwi stalled and was hit by other car that caused terminal damage to both the front and rear suspension on the starboard side.

Sorensen made a great start from 16th and gained seven places during the first lap. Motorland Aragon is known as a difficult track for overtaking but the Dane managed to improve his position once more and finished eighth.

In Race 2, a faultless start from second allowed Sorensen to take the lead at the first corner and he was able to pull away from his rivals. He was three seconds ahead of the chasing pack when bad luck struck in the form of an electrical fault, and his race was over.

Stanaway profited at the start too, avoiding a melee at the first corner and jumping from 11th to sixth. He held that position during the mandatory pitstops and took the chequered flag without incident. As the second best rookie of the race, he got to swig some champagne afterwards.